How can we redesign pedestrian areas to attract more foot traffic all summer long?
Rainbow Arch
Summer is approaching, and with it comes a rare opportunity to reinvent public spaces. Municipalities, business development corporations (BDCs), and urban planners have a powerful tool at their disposal: temporary urban design.
As city centers seek to revitalize themselves, boost their commercial appeal, and offer a memorable pedestrian experience, every pedestrianized street and every small square becomes a canvas for expression. Summer-time landscaping is no longer just a nice-to-have; it is a strategic tool for placemaking.
Give each space a strong visual identity
Pedestrian streets are no longer just corridors for non-motorized traffic; they aspire to become destinations in their own right. To achieve this, we need to create a cohesive and memorable visual identity: a distinctive atmosphere that makes people want to stop, stay, and come back.
Leblanc Illuminations-Canada supports organizations and community development corporations in this process with a full range of temporary furniture and accessories:
Freestanding furniture for defining relaxation and circulation areas.
Decorative arches to create iconic, Instagram-worthy entryways.
Umbrellas and seating to provide comfort and shade, and encourage people to take a break.
Decorative items from the eco-friendly e-deco line, designed to reduce environmental impact.
Summer decorations: streamers, bells, lanterns, kites, flowers, and artificial plants.
festoon garlands festoon create a warm and festive atmosphere as soon as night falls.
3D-printed floral bouquet
Create a sensory experience
The goal is simple: to create a memorable experience. Colors, textures, light, and space all play a key role in how a place is perceived. By combining furniture, hanging decorations, and lighting, it’s possible to create a cohesive, immersive, and Instagram-worthy atmosphere—a major asset for attracting visitors and boosting business in the surrounding area.
Downtown Kingston
Boosting local business
A successful summer revitalization goes beyond simply sprucing up a commercial street. It creates a vibrant, welcoming, and memorable destination—a place where residents want to stop by, tourists want to return, and businesses benefit from increased foot traffic.
As summer approaches, urban planners have a real opportunity to transform streets, small squares, and pedestrian zones into truly engaging public spaces. Temporary street furniture, decorative arches, summer decorations, shaded areas, and ambient lighting become strategic tools for strengthening a neighborhood’s identity and boosting its local economy.
3D-printed rainbow arch – Lumifest in Repentigny
Photo credit: Viviane Hervieux
At Leblanc Illuminations-Canada, we help project leaders create distinctive, safe, and easy-to-set-up summer environments.
Ready to turn your public space into a must-visit destination this summer? Talk to an expert to plan your temporary setup and create a summer experience that attracts, engages, and builds loyalty.